Inflatable curtain with tensioning device

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( 12 ) which has a side structure ( 16 ) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ). The vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ) is inflatable in a first direction into a position between the side structure ( 16 ) of the vehicle ( 12 ) and a vehicle occupant. When inflated, the vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ) extends fore and aft in the vehicle ( 12 ) along the side structure ( 16 ) of the vehicle ( 12 ). An inflator ( 24 ) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device. A mechanism ( 50 ) causes the vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ) when inflated to be tensioned in the first direction along the fore and aft extent of the vehicle occupant protection device.

Having described the invention, the following is claimed:  
     
       1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle which has a side structure, said apparatus comprising: 
       a vehicle occupant protection device which is inflatable in a first direction into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said vehicle occupant protection device when inflated extending fore and aft in the vehicle along the side structure of the vehicle;  
       an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating said vehicle occupant protection device;  
       a tensioning device; and  
       a flexible elongated member having a first end connected to the vehicle at a first location and an opposite second end connected to said tensioning device, said flexible elongated member extending through said vehicle occupant protection device along a bottom edge of said vehicle occupant protection device,  
       said tensioning device pulling on said flexible elongated member when said vehicle occupant protection device is inflated, said flexible elongated member tensioning said vehicle occupant protection device in said first direction along the fore and aft extent of said vehicle occupant protection device.  
     
     
       2. Apparatus as defined in claim  1 , wherein said bottom edge of said vehicle occupant protection device is located between said tensioning device and the vehicle roof. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as defined in claim  1 , wherein said vehicle occupant protection device is an inflatable curtain having a store position extending along the side structure adjacent the roof of the vehicle, said inflatable curtain being inflated in said first direction away from the vehicle roof and along the side structure of the vehicle. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as defined in claim  3 , further including a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable curtain, said inflator being in fluid communication with said fill tube, said inflator, when actuated, providing inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable curtain to inflate said inflatable curtain. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as defined in claim  3 , wherein said inflatable curtain has a main chamber into which inflation fluid is directed to inflate said inflatable curtain and has a sleeve portion forming said bottom edge of the inflatable curtain, said flexible elongated member extending through said sleeve portion. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as defined in claim  3 , further including a sensor for sensing a vehicle condition for which inflation of said side curtain is desired, said sensor actuating said inflator to provide inflation fluid to said fill tube and for actuating said tensioning device. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as defined in claim  6 , wherein said sensor actuates said inflator and simultaneously actuates said tensioning device. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as defined in claim  1 , wherein said first direction is downward with respect to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as defined in claim  1  wherein said tensioning device comprises an elongated cylinder having first and second opposite end portions and a piston movable within said cylinder, said first end portion of said cylinder being in fluid communication with said inflator which, when actuated, provides inflation fluid to said cylinder for moving said piston from said first end portion of said cylinder towards said second end portion of said cylinder. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus as defined in claim  9  wherein said second end of said flexible elongated member is connected to said piston, said piston pulling on said flexible elongated member when said piston moves from said first end portion of said cylinder towards said second end portion of said cylinder. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle which has a side structure, said apparatus comprising: 
       a vehicle occupant protection device which is inflatable in a downward direction with respect to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said vehicle occupant protection device when inflated extending fore and aft in the vehicle along the side structure of the vehicle;  
       a mechanism for pulling on said vehicle occupant protection device in said downward direction along the entire fore and aft extent of a bottom edge of said vehicle occupant protection device and tensioning said bottom edge when said vehicle occupant protection device is inflated; and  
       an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating said vehicle occupant protection device and providing fluid to actuate said mechanism.  
     
     
       12. Apparatus as defined in claim  11 , wherein said vehicle occupant protection device is an inflatable curtain having a stored position extending along the side structure adjacent the roof of the vehicle, said inflatable curtain being inflated in said downward direction away from the vehicle roof and along the side structure of the vehicle. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus as defined in claim  12 , further including a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable curtain and an inflator in fluid communication with said fill tube, said inflator, when actuated, providing inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable curtain to inflate said inflatable curtain. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus as defined in claim  12 , wherein said mechanim, comprises a flexible elongated member, said flexible elongated member having first and second opposite ends, said first end being fixed to the vehicle at a first location, said flexible elongated member extending from said first location through said inflatable curtain along the entire fore and aft extent of said bottom edge of said inflatable curtain, said second end of said flexible elongated member being associated with a tensioning device for, when actuated, pulling said flexible elongated member, said bottom edge of said inflatable curtain being located between said tensioning device and the vehicle roof, said flexible elongated member tensioning said inflatable curtain in said downward direction along the entire fore and aft extent of said bottom edge when pulled by said tensioning device. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus as defined in claim  14 , wherein said inflatable curtain has a main chamber into which inflation fluid is directed to inflate said inflatable curtain and has a sleeve portion forming said bottom edge of the inflatable curtain, said flexible elongated member extending through said sleeve portion. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus as defined in claim  14  wherein said tensioning device comprises an elongated cylinder having first and second opposite end portions and a piston movable within said cylinder, said first end portion of said cylinder towards said second end portion of said cylinder. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus as defined in claim  16  wherein said second end of said flexible elongated member is connected to said piston, said piston pulling on said flexible elongated member when said piston moves from said first end portion of said cylinder towards said second end portion of said cylinder.